Disclaimer: I do not own anything that relates to FFVIII.

Okay...no reviews whatsoever for that first chapter...oh well, I'll just continue bravely, hoping people will get a bit more interested along the way...

Oh and thanks to Dark Angels for the beta-work of course!!!


- Chapter two: O'kara's Mansion -

He saw them, sitting at the usual table. Selphie and Irvine. They looked happy, so Zell assumed that Irvine had said nothing. He sat down quietly.

Selphie greeted him merrily but he knew he received unsure and warning looks from Irvine. Escpecially when Rinoa joined the table. He nodded, just once, only to let them know he hadn't and wouldn't reviel their secret. At least not yet.

Zell wanted to open his mouth to say something but he couldn't think of anything. He was saved by Squall and Quistis. They joined their table discussing their trip with irritated voices.

"I'm pretty sure Cid would've told us more if you hadn't been so pushy." Quistis stated as she sat down.

Squall just sat down, pockerfaced. "Trust me, I wasn't pushy. Maybe you shouldn't have been so picky about our location. Because maybe then we would have heard more."

They continued to bicker in more hushed voices as Squall snaked one arm around Rinoa's waist. Zell tore his eyes away from Quistis and sighed as that familiar feeling started in his stomach again. Selphie motioned Zell to come closer with his face.

"Did you tell her?" she whispered.

He shook his head. "No. I couldn't find her."

"Oh."

He tried to stop hearing Quistis' voice but he wasn't very succesful. Somehow the arguing sounded strange. Not that Squall and Quistis never argued. In fact, lately it had gotten worse. And even though the words sounded as if the argument had started long ago, their voices sounded as if they had only just started.

Quistis noticed he was staring at them and gave him a warm smile. He smiled back and fought a very hard battle to keep his face from going red.

'Does she already know?' he wondered.

He was distracted when Squall cleared his throat and stood up.

"I'd just like to say something before we all leave tonight. I wanted to let you all kow that this is a very important mission and that it is also very serious. I, as your captain, therefore expect you all to be your best and I will allow no foul-ups. But I also want to say that I'm very proud that I get to go on a mission with my friends. So, a toast. To another mission together. Let's make it a good one!"

Squall raised his glass and the rest followed.

"A good one." They muttered.

Zell sneaked a glance at Quistis. She was, like the others, staring at Squall. Of course it was no surprise that he had been made captain for this mission. Squall was always the captain if he was sent on a mission.

Squall emptied his glass and looked at the table. "Well...I think it's time to go. Everybody go to your dorms and retrieve your luggage. Let's meet in the garage in ten minutes."

Suddenly everyone stood up hastily and left the cafeteria. Zell reached out for Quistis' arm.

"Quistis, wait. Do you have a moment?"

She shook his hand off. "No, sorry Zell. I'm in a bit of a hurry. I need to pack my bags. I didn't get round to it this afternoon."

Rinoa gave her a puzzled look. "But you had ages!"

"Yeah well, Cid kept me and Squall to go over some details. It took all day." She retorted angrily.

She turned to Zell. "I didn't mean to be harsh, but I really need to get to it."

Hastily she left. Rinoa grabbed Squall's arm and pecked his cheek. "Shall we go too? You probably need to pack as well."

He nodded. Zell quickly left before they had the chance to get mushy. He collected his suitcase and went down to the garage. He still had a few minutes left and sat down. He was soon followed by Irvine. Zell didn't look at him. He just stared out in front of him.

Irvine sat down next to him and rolled a cigarette. He offered Zell one but he shook his head.

"Listen...Zell...I know you saw us. And I know you didn't tell Selphie. Why?"

"I don't want to hurt her. You obviously do." Zell said, his face as emotionless as possible.

Irvine didn't respond.

"So." Zell said. "Are you going to stop? Will you tell Selphie?"

Irvine shrugged.

"And what about Squall? Are you two completely out of your minds?" His voice was rising.

Irvine still didn't respond. He just shrugged. Zell was about to yell at him for being able to break Selphie's heart, for going behind the backs of their own loved ones, for being so bloody selfish and...but before he could open his mouth Selphie and Rinoa had appeared, followed closely by Squall.

"Where's Quistis?" Zell asked.

Squall shrugged and pulled Rinoa into a hug, which she let him do with a few giggles. Irvine smiled and pulled Selphie onto his lap. Zell clenched his hands around the handles of his suitcase. His grip only loosened when he heard Quistis' footsteps.

"Sorry I'm late. I couldn't find my coat."

Squall looked at his watch impatiently. "Let's hurry. Mister O'kara expects us to arrive in a few hours. Get in."

Irvine raised his hand. "Why aren't we using an airship?"

"Because an airship atracts attention. A car would be much better suited for a covert operation." Quistis said, not taking her eyes of her fingernails.

Zell raised his eyebrow. "Since when is this a covert operation?"

"Since Cid made it one. Now will you please hurry up." Squall said, irritated.

Without another word everybody got in the car. The trip was continued in silence. The only sounds heard were those of Irvine whispering things to Selphie, who giggled in response. Squall was just staring at Rinoa, who smiled back sweetly.

Zell looked at Quistis. Quistis was not looking at the others. Her eyes were not focussed on anything, but she appeared to look out the window. She must have felt his eyes on her, because she turned her head and smiled at him. He turned his eyes away quickly, not wanting to blush again.

He noticed Squall was looking from him to Quistis. Zell smiled, but Squall stared back blankly. Zell shrugged and leaned back into his seat. He felt his eyes slowly fall shut and the next thing he knew he was roughly being shaken back and forth.

"Come on Zell, we're here."

Zell opened his eyes.

"W-What?" he said sleepily.

"We're here." Irvine looked at his watch impatiently.

Zell hastily scrambled out the car. He looked around. It was completely dark outside. They followed Squall to a big house. It was built against a huge rockformation.

"It looks as if the house just...grew out of that rock." Rinoa whispered.

No one reacted, but Zell agreed, nodding his head. The house had something eery about it. He could feel a shudder go through the group.

Squall knocked on the door. They could see a light switched on in the hallway. After a few moments the door opened and a man stood in the opening.

"Yes?"

"Mister O'kara?"

The man nodded.

"We're here on behalf of mister Kramer."

"I believe you have a letter for me?"

Quistis handed the man a sheet of paper. He studied it for a while.

Zell looked at him. He was middle-aged. He guessed about the age of fourty three. His hair was frizzy and a light shade of brown. His eyes were a birght green colour and sparkled when the light reflected in them. He looked tired, dark rings were around his eyes, as if he hadn't been sleeping well for a while.

The man coughed. "Welcome. Please come inside."

The SeeDs followed him in and were lead to a comfortable sittingroom. A large fire was happily burning in a corner. O'kara motioned them to sit down.

"I understand you will be very curious about why you're here and what your job will be. However, it will be better to let you all rest and have a good night sleep. Mister Kramer told me there were wishes for two double bedrooms, so I have arranged for them upstairs. Of course there are also two single bedrooms." He said, looking at Zell and Quistis, who were obviously the singles.

"I will retreat now. Please, make yourselves at home. I have the left wing at my disposal, so don't be afraid about making noise. I know young people love to party deep into the night. And there are hardly any neighbours to disturb." He said, waving his hand outside. "Sleep well."

O'kara turned around and closed the large carved doors behind him. It was silent for a while.

"Well!" Irvine said cheerfully. "I'm tired. I'm ready for bed." He took Selphie's hand and dragged her towards the door.

He looked back and waved his free hand. "Goodnight everyone."

Zell saw him wink at Rinoa. His hands tightened to fists.

'How dare he.' He thought angrily.

Rinoa, who was obvioulsy surpressing a giggle, turned to Squall. "Want to turn in too?"

Squall nodded vaguely. "Yeah."

They said goodnight to Zell and Quistis. When Zell and Quistis were alone, she made a move to leave the room as well. But Zell soflty grabbed her wrist. She turned around, her eyes a bit unfocussed as if she was very tired.

"Yes?" she asked. "Oh...wait, you wanted to talk to me." She said when she suddenly remembered that afternoon.

Zell looked into her eyes and saw his own reflection in them.

"I love you!" That was what his head yelled, what his heart yelled. But he didn't say those words.

"I- er...I" he simply couldn't.

"Yes?"

"I-I saw Irvine and Rinoa today." He blurted out.

Quistis didn't seem to understand. "What do you mean?"

"I-" he had to say it now. And maybe Quistis could help him. "They were together...in the library...kissing."

Now her eyes shot open wide. "You mean to say...that Rinoa is cheating on Squall...with Irvine?"

Zell nodded his head and swallowed difficultly. "Yeah...I- I want to tell Selphie, but should I? I don't want to hurt her."

"Because you love her?"

"No! No...honestly. The only way I love Selphie is as my little sister."

'You're the one I love.' He added to himself.

Quistis stared at the flames licking the woodblocks in the fireplace in silence.

"Rinoa and Irvine...Don't tell Selphie. At least not yet. Not if you care for her even only a bit."

She stood up and walked to the door.

"Goodnight." She said, before leaving him alone.

He sat down on the couch. Maybe he shouldn't have told Quistis after all.

He felt drowsy. He slowly fell asleep while watching the fire. Maybe he shouldn't have told Quistis. Maybe he should tell Selphie. Maybe...

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